Organic cattle farmers earn 30% higher family incomes

ORGANIC cattle farmers achieve a 30% higher farm family income per hectare versus conventional methods, according to the latest Teagasc research.

A Teagasc review of cattle farming family incomes in 2010 found that organic farmers earned €349/ha versus €268/ha for conventional farmers. The findings were unveiled at the Teagasc National Organic Conference entitled “For Health and Profit” in Ballykisteen, Co Tipperary, yesterday.

Teagasc organic specialist Dan Clavin said: “Organic production in Ireland is located mainly in the west and south-west, with over two-thirds of producers located in Connacht and Munster.

“Organic cattle farmers achieved a 30% higher farm family income per hectare in 2010 compared to conventional cattle farmers. This was mainly due to significantly lower costs of production on organic cattle farms.”

The Teagasc National Organic Conference is part of a series of events organised for National Organic Week. Prof Nic Lampkin, executive director of Organic Research Centre UK, said that the future of organic farming will be bright, as the greening of the CAP will secure higher direct payments for organic farmers, and as markets across Europe recover from economic instability.

A new booklet for organic farmers, Animal Health Management on Organic Farms, compiled by Teagasc organic specialist Pat Barry, was launched at the conference.

At the conference, Mr Barry and Douglas Gray from the Scottish Agriculture College both came to similar conclusion — that positive health management is the best tool in the prevention of disease outbreaks.

Organic cattle farms have a more viable socio-economic profile compared with conventional cattle farms. Some 86% of organic cattle farms were considered economically viable, or sustainable, compared with 59% of conventional cattle farms, according to analysis carried out by Teagasc in 2010.

This was due to higher farm family incomes on organic farms and more organic farms with either the farmer, or their spouse earning an off-farm income.

Bord Bia analyst Lorcan Bourke outlined how the Irish retail market has experienced mixed fortunes over the past two months as sectorssuch as yoghurt sales and fresh meat have increased and poultry sales have declined.

Organic farming systems need to be profit orientated and the audience heard from producers who are processing and marketing their produce direct to consumers.

These included Beale Organic Cheese, Kerry; Horizon Organic Vegetables, Cork; and Crowes Organic Pork and Bacon, Tipperary. All of these have managed to create a brand for their produce and ultimately achieve a premium price.